Terry O’neill Stars Only in Amsterdam. Summer only.

15 July 2018

Arty Summer tip if you happen to be in Amsterdam before August 25. And a fan of British celebrity photographer Terry O’neill. Photo art gallery Eduard Planting, located in the middle of the city center, just opened a special exhibition. You might like to squeeze this one in between a leisurely stroll along the canal side and a shopping spree in the old Jordaan neighbourhood.The gallery shows with the ‘Stars Only’ exhibition a selection of his most iconic portraits of celebrities. As in Brigitte Bardot, Mick Jagger, Kate Moss, David Bowie and many (Roger) Mo(o)re.
All time favourite is the famous ’70’s poolside portrait of Faye Dunaway. The actress the morning after she won her Oscar in Hollywood. Taken at six in the morning, sunrise light, after only three hours of sleep.
What’s unique about this expo is that most portraits are, besides limited and numbered, co-signed by both Terry O’Neill and the portrayed celebrity.

Terry O’Neill, sixty years of photography

Mr. O’Neill (can’t call a man who will celebrate his 80th anniversary next week by his first name, now can I?) is born and bred in London, 1938. He picked up a camera for the very first time in 1958. His photos are almost informal and spontaneous. The result of a personal connection he built with his subjects. Liking the people he observed through his lens was important for the outcome.
The ultimate personal connection might be with Fay Dunaway. After that first shoot in 1977, an affair lead to marriage in 1983 which lead to divorce three years later. Age is just a number fact, Fay just became the new model for Gucci …
For over six decades, he captured the frontline. O’Neill is the pioneer of a more intimate, reportage style of celebrity photography. His images not only have adorned historic rock albums and movie posters but also international magazine covers. Iconic books provide an overview of the extensive oeuvre. No wonder that mr. O’Neil is one of the world’s most exhibited and collected photographers.

He is not photographing anymore. Both due to a severe eye disease and also because he’s not into todays celebrities. They can not compete with the original stars of his time, claims the master himself. He has no problem to adapt to modern times though. Sharing his iconic work via Instagram.

Founder and travel journalist Karin Barnhoorn (’63) enjoys life after fifty. She is an avid iPhoneographer.
The sustainable approach on Luxury Travel ticks all her boxes (guilty feeling when flying included). As does golf, wellness and healthy food. Home is the Portuguese countryside Algarve.